Happy New Year!:dance::headbang2:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz:lol:
wall of text coming, but I have done my homework...
I have a 36 gallon bowfront (30 x 15 x 21), Aqueon power filter, heater, standard plastic hood with 30” fluorescent reflector (120V, 20W, 60hz; 24” 17W bulb). Everything is brand new, out of the box. I’ve been researching for about a week and I want to get the AC community’s thoughts on my plan.
I’m returning to the hobby after several years and I want to try live plants. I’m going to do a fishless cycle of the tank and I’m going to add plants early if not first thing, so maybe a quiet or silent cycle. I know my current lighting is low light (about .5 WPG) and I plan on upgrading to a glass hood with 70W of lighting to get to about 2 WPG but I’d like to start the tank before I do that.
My first question is do I have enough light at 17W to even consider a silent cycle? I understand you should heavily plant from the start and wonder if I would need more light to do so. I’m planning on using only low light plants and I’m considering java fern, java moss, anubias, water sprite; maybe Dwarf Hygrophila, Ambulia; any suggestions would be appreciated.
My second question is about the substrate. I was planning on a mix with fluorite, laterite, or peat and sand or gravel. I’ve read a lot of information on this and I just want to make sure I’m not throwing off the balance since I have very low light with low light plants. I’d just assume include the nutrient rich substrate now as opposed to adding it later (when I get more WPG) but not if it may lead to negative consequences (maybe algae?).
As far as fish, my plan is a school, an algae squad; I had a redtail shark in my past tank that I really enjoyed; my wife and daughter like angels. I haven’t really looked into the community aspects as much so forgive my lack of homework but I’m concentrating on getting the plants and tank setup first.
Great site! It’s given me a ton of information and I’m looking forward to participating. Thanks for any replies!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz:lol:
wall of text coming, but I have done my homework...
I have a 36 gallon bowfront (30 x 15 x 21), Aqueon power filter, heater, standard plastic hood with 30” fluorescent reflector (120V, 20W, 60hz; 24” 17W bulb). Everything is brand new, out of the box. I’ve been researching for about a week and I want to get the AC community’s thoughts on my plan.
I’m returning to the hobby after several years and I want to try live plants. I’m going to do a fishless cycle of the tank and I’m going to add plants early if not first thing, so maybe a quiet or silent cycle. I know my current lighting is low light (about .5 WPG) and I plan on upgrading to a glass hood with 70W of lighting to get to about 2 WPG but I’d like to start the tank before I do that.
My first question is do I have enough light at 17W to even consider a silent cycle? I understand you should heavily plant from the start and wonder if I would need more light to do so. I’m planning on using only low light plants and I’m considering java fern, java moss, anubias, water sprite; maybe Dwarf Hygrophila, Ambulia; any suggestions would be appreciated.
My second question is about the substrate. I was planning on a mix with fluorite, laterite, or peat and sand or gravel. I’ve read a lot of information on this and I just want to make sure I’m not throwing off the balance since I have very low light with low light plants. I’d just assume include the nutrient rich substrate now as opposed to adding it later (when I get more WPG) but not if it may lead to negative consequences (maybe algae?).
As far as fish, my plan is a school, an algae squad; I had a redtail shark in my past tank that I really enjoyed; my wife and daughter like angels. I haven’t really looked into the community aspects as much so forgive my lack of homework but I’m concentrating on getting the plants and tank setup first.
Great site! It’s given me a ton of information and I’m looking forward to participating. Thanks for any replies!
